4 Styling Mistakes That Could Actually Make Your Hair Fall Out

We've all had those days where it feels like there's more hair on the floor of the shower than on our heads. And while some shedding is normal—the American Academy of Dermatology says we shed about 50 to 100 strands of hair daily—anything more than that constitutes actual hair loss. And while age, stress, and hormones can all contribute to hair loss, have you ever considered the fact that your favorite 'do might be affecting your shedding, breaking strands? So where exactly are we going wrong? Thankfully, it’s how a hairstyle is executed—rather than the style itself—that can hurt your hair, says Larry Sims, the hairstylist behind Victoria Beckham’s famous bob. We asked experts to share their insight, and how we can prevent our favorite looks from breaking up our tresses.

Choosing Heavy Extensions And Weaves

Add-ons to your hair, like extensions and weaves, add extra weight to your hair. Choose styles that are too heavy, and your hair will come out, says Sims. That’s because the weight of extensions and braids can cause major stress and tensions to your hair, leading to breakage. “If you’re wearing a weave and it’s too tight, or you leave it in for longer than the recommended four to six weeks, that can potentially cause damage and take your hair out as well,” Sims adds. Your hair needs time to breathe freely in between these heavy, product-heavy styles. If not, it can potentially grow weak and break off.

Blow Drying Wet Hair

Even something as simple as a blowout can mess with your hair if done incorrectly. “Hair just isn’t that strong, especially if it’s highlighted and or color treated," says Peter Butler, hairstylist to Emma Stone and Claire Danes. “Trying to blow dry very wet hair with a brush is a form of hair torture, since your hair is only so elastic. If it is pulled and pulled with any kind of brush from wet to dry, you have the strongest chance of snapping the hair from heat and exertion,” he says. A great way to prevent breakage here is to make sure you remove excess water before styling. “Towel dry your hair first and then take the dryer and hand dry your hair, removing the most moisture first,” says Butler. “This frees up the natural texture and makes it easier to section and blow out with the brush.” This method actually helps you blow-dry your hair faster, says Butler—a win-win, in our book!

Using The Wrong Hair Ties Ponytails

Specifically the elastic that you use—can also lead to breakage, says Butler. “Using tight elastics that aren’t cloth covered or rubber bands to tie up your ponytail and then pulling them out will definitely tear out hair,” he says. “Repeat this and you get more breakage." Avoid rubber bands and go for hair ties like invisbobble ($8, sephora.com) or fabric-covered hair ties so that the hair easily slides off and doesn’t get stuck in the elastic. “I like Blaxx ($7 for 8, amazon.com) snag- free elastics” says Butler. “They slide off the ponytail.”

Using Heat Styling Tools All The Time

“Repeated use of heat-styling tools over time can destabilize the structure of hair, causing it to weaken and slip and eventually break off,” says Butler. This applies to any style that requires flat irons, curling irons, hot combs, and of course blow dryers. Womp womp. Thankfully, you don’t have to throw out your tools to protect your tresses. Instead, take preventative measures to strengthen your hair against heat damage. Butler recommends using a hair treatment with keratin, such as Schwartzkopf GLISS Hair Repair Ultimate Repair Anti-Damage Mask ($6, target.com). You can also try keeping things natural with your styling to give your hair a break from the heat, says Sims. “A twist up – or sleeping in braids overnight and unraveling them—is really beautiful too,” says Sims.

Can How You Wear Your Hair Cause Hair Loss?

No one wants to lose their hair and fortunately, for many women, balding is entirely preventable. While 95 percent of hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness, which is largely hereditary, women lose hair for a wider variety of reasons, such as stress, childbirth, or taking certain birth control pills. Other types of female balding may be easier to control than previously thought, at least according to a recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers.

The new report published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that certain hairstyles increase a woman's risk of baldness and avoiding them can keep locks full and flowing.

"Hair is a cornerstone of self-esteem and identity for many people, but ironically, some hairstyles meant to improve our self-confidence actually lead to hair and scalp damage," said Crystal Aguh, study author and assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. What hairstyles are linked to baldness?

Not all hairstyles are created equal. 

According to researchers, styles that may lead to balding include braids, dreadlocks, weaves, tight ponytails, and extensions. They put more tension on the wearer's hair follicles, especially when the hair is tightly styled.

The exact mechanics of traction alopecia, which is what scientists call hair loss caused by tension to the hair root, is pretty simple. When hair is pulled back and stretched — like when a person styles their hair in a tight bun or braid — stress is carried down the hair shaft to the follicle. Put enough tension on the root for long enough and hair loss may start.

The risk of balding from traction alopecia can be enhanced by other styling decisions, too. Chemical straightening, coloring, frequent wig wearing, and other process that make your hair brittle can also put added strain on your hair and scalp, increasing the chances that a tight hairstyle will cause your hair to fall out according to the study.

So braids aren't okay?

It's not that simple, say researchers.

Tight hairstyles are usually fine, according to the study, but wearers need to be conscious of how frequently they wear their hair in these styles. Researchers advise that braids should be loosened every two to three months to give hair follicles a break, and styles that involve high levels of tension should be removed every six to eight weeks — like weaves and extensions. Black women were most likely to suffer from traction alopecia because such high-tension hairstyles are more commonly worn, with around one-third of Black women suffering some kind of hairstyle related hair loss.

Even if traction alopecia sets in, all isn't lost. Not only is this kind of hair loss entirely preventable, since it's caused by hairstyling decisions, but it's also often reversible — if patients seek early treatment from medical professionals.

"We have to do better as care providers to offer our patients proper guidance to keep them healthy from head to toe," Aguh said about the findings. "[S]imply telling patients to abandon [certain hairstyles] won't work for everyone. Instead, physicians can educate themselves to speak with patients about making the best hairstyling choices to minimize preventable hair loss."